New York Red Bulls U23s win wild 5-3 match over the Long Island Rough Riders

While the senior team was busy bossing the New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls U23s were locked in a contentious battle with the division leading Long Island Rough Riders. After eight goals and seven yellow cards, the Red Bulls triumphed, 5-3, at the Training Facility in Hanover, New Jersey.

The Rough Riders got on the scoreboard first in the 12th minute when Stephen Roche finished a Joe Holland cross. Zach Knudson (PDA/NC State) tied the match in the 25th minute after putting away a Alex Tejera (Red Bulls Academy/Siena) rebound. Despite continued pressing by the Red Bulls, the half finished tied at 1-1.

Adam Najem (Red Bulls Academy/Akron) put the U23s up 2-1 in the 53rd minute via a through ball from Michael Innocenzi (Red Bulls Academy/Harvard). Tejera doubled the lead five minutes later off a Knudson assist. The Rough Riders proceeded to tie the match thanks to two goals from Keith Detelj.

However, Knudson would put the Red Bulls ahead for good in the 79th minute, beating the Long Island keeper from the top of the box. The Rough Riders spent the final 10 minutes throwing caution to the wind and pushing players forward, allowing Chris Thorsheim (Red Bulls Academy/Bucknell) to add an insurance goal in the 92nd minute to finish the match at 5-3.

Goalkeeper Evan Louro (Red Bulls Academy/Michigan) made three saves in the win. The Red Bulls outshot the Rough Riders, 11-6.

Here are the current standings for the Premier Development League's Mid Atlantic Division. The top three teams make the playoffs.

The U23s' next match is against Reading United on Saturday, July 11th at Don Thomas Stadium in Exeter, Pennsylvania. The Red Bulls previously tied Reading, 1-1, on June 14th.

Following the Reading match they finish the 14-match regular season against the Jersey Express and the Westchester Flames.

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Brian White and Zach Knudson were on the Honorable Mention list for the USL PDL Team of the Week for week nine. Congratulations, guys!

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Starting lineup: Evan Louro; Kevin Politz, Timothy Schmoll, Joe Farrell, Scott Thomsen, Sean Sheridan, Christopher Lema, Adam Najem, Zach Knudson, Jared Stroud, Alex Tejera

Substitutes: Steven Echevarria, Michael Innocenzi, Joe Swenson, Chris Thorsheim, Antonio Matarazzo, Rhys Williams